Yes, you can take anatomy and physiology (A&P) online! Accredited A&P courses are a useful way to fulfill course prereqs, pick up credit, and further your education.
I’ve researched the top courses that deliver exactly that and listed them in this article.
Here’s what else we’ll cover:
- Accredited online A&P courses from top colleges
- The best courses offering online or virtual lab
- Recommended free/cheap options
- What to expect from studying anatomy online
As a med student who’s taken anatomy and physiology courses myself, I know what’s important to look out for when it comes to selecting the best options available.
Ready to learn more about what’s out there? Let’s go.
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Best Accredited Online Anatomy & Physiology Course Listings
Here’s a quick overview of the recommended A&P courses in this article:
| Course | Institution | Level | Prerequisites | Length | Hours | Cost |
| Online Anatomy & Physiology | Corexcel | Undergraduate (Credits: 4) | None | 1-year access | Self-paced | $318 |
| Introduction To Human Physiology | UC Berkeley Extension | Undergraduate (Credits: 3) | None | 90-180 days | Self-paced | $1200 |
| Anatomy & Physiology I(Optional Lab) | StraighterLine | Undergraduate (Credits: 3) | None | Self-paced | Self-paced | $59 (plus monthly membership) |
| Human Anatomy And Physiology(Lecture & Lab) | Oregon Tech Online | Undergraduate (Credits: 12) | None | 11 Weeks | Self-paced | $281/credit |
| Anatomy Courses Online(Lecture & Lab) | West Virginia University | Undergraduate (Credits: 6) | Biology, General Anatomy | 1 semester | Normal semester hours | See website |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology I | University Of North Dakota | Upper-level undergraduate (Credits: 3) | Biology, Chemistry | 3-9 months | Self-Paced | $370.08/credit |
| Anatomy Specialization | University Of Michigan | N/A | None | 5 Months | Self-paced | Free |
| XSeries Program In Anatomy | Michigan University | N/A | None | 5 Months | Self-paced | $176.40 (for full experience) |
| Human Anatomy For Stroke | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | N/A | None | 8 weeks | Self-paced | Free |
Best Accredited Online Anatomy and Physiology Courses
The following courses are a mix of full degrees at reputable U.S. institutions and semester-long courses you can take online for transferable credit. Some (but not all) offer accredited anatomy and physiology lab.
1. Online Anatomy & Physiology Course – Corexcel
Corexcel’s A&P course introduces learners with little or no knowledge of anatomy and physiology. It is entirely online and contains multiple exercises, games, quizzes, and tests to reinforce and test knowledge.
Classes will touch the following modules:
- Human body
- Chemistry of life
- Cell structure
- Cellular metabolism and reproduction: mitosis and meiosis
- Tissues
- Integumentary system
- Skeletal system
- Articular system
- Muscular system
- Nervous system (central, peripheral, autonomic)
- Endocrine system
- Blood
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system
- Nutrition and the digestive system
- Respiratory system
- Urinary system
- Reproductive system
Although it’s an accredited course, the institution recommends students submit their objectives and accreditation information to the college they intend to go to for approval before enrolling.
This course also includes an eBook, case studies, concept maps, and animations.
Details:
- Name: Online Anatomy & Physiology Course
- Institution: Corexcel
- Level: Undergraduate (Credits: 4)
- Prerequisites: None
- Length: 1 year access
- Hours: Self-paced (9.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) 95 hours)
- Website: corexcel.com/anatomy.physiology.online
- Price: $318
2. Introduction to Human Physiology – UC Berkeley Extension
Whit this course, UC Berkeley Extension offers an introduction to physiology.
It proposes to explore all the complexities of the cells, tissues, and different organs and systems. Besides that, the course promise to focus on the primary mechanism of the most common diseases affecting a normal function of the body, delving into the most critical things in physiology, like:
- The relation between structure and function
- The reasons process demands energy and how they are executed
- The coordination of body functions and its flow of information
Approved students earn three-semester units as credits.
And the course teaches the following subjects led by the instructor Kashif Ahmad MD (you can find an interview discussing his teaching philosophy here).
- Basic cell functions
- The endocrine system
- Neurons and the CNS
- Sensory systems and motor control
- The muscular system
- The cardiovascular system
- The respiratory system
- The urinary system
- Digestion and metabolism
You can start this class online at any time, including in the summer!
The course is based on the textbook Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (mandatory).
For those unfamiliar with the platform, here’s a primer…
Details:
- Name: Introduction to Human Physiology
- Institution: University of California Berkeley Extension
- Level: Undergraduate (Credits: 3)
- Prerequisites: 1 year of high school or college chemistry
- Length: Minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course
- Hours: Self-paced
- Website: extension.berkeley.edu
- Price: $1,200.00
3. Online Anatomy & Physiology I – StraighterLine (Optional Lab)
This StraighterLine course was designed to provide students with working knowledge of college-level anatomy, and it offers the benefit of one-to-one online tutoring.
It is entirely self-paced – the students can take the course at their own pace and take the exams whenever they feel ready. An average student, however, is expected to complete it in approximately 75 hours.
The course covers the following topics:
- Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
- Chemistry for Anatomy and Physiology Students
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Tissues
- Integumentary System
- Bones and Skeletal System
- Joints
- Muscular System Histology and Physiology
- Muscular System Gross Anatomy
- Functional Organization of Nervous Tissue
- Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, Brain, and Cranial Nerves
- Integration of Nervous System Functions
- The Special Senses
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Functional Organization of the Endocrine System and Endocrine Glands
The course is based on the McGraw-Hill Anatomy & Physiology I textbook.
StraightLine also offers an Anatomy & Physiology I Lab for $49. It is a lab-only course designed as a standalone addition to StraighterLine’s Anatomy & Physiology I. It involves dissections of both tissues and animal specimens. It also has no prerequisites but is highly recommended to follow the conclusion of Anatomy & Physiology I.
You can also try two free lessons first.
The video below provides some handy tips on how best to pass this course…
Details:
- Name: Online Anatomy & Physiology I
- Institution: StraighterLine
- Level: Undergraduate (Credits: 3)
- Prerequisites: None
- Length: 30 days
- Hours: Self-paced
- Website: straighterline.com/anatomy-physiology-i
- Price: $59 plus $99 Monthly Membership
4. BIO 231, 232, 233 Human Anatomy and Physiology – Oregon Tech Online (Lecture & Lab)
Oregon Institute of Technology offers three fully online courses in A&P, delivering 12 credits upon successful completion. These credits are usually equivalent to eight-semester credits.
Each course has lecture and lab elements. They are offered every term but must be taken in order.
The lectures focus on physiology, while the labs focus on anatomy. The course uses 3D interactive programs for the latter.
BIO 231 covers an introduction to the principles of human anatomy and deals primarily with the support and movement of the body. BIO 232 deals with the control systems of the human body. BIO 233 treats the systems which maintain the body and ensure the survival of the species.
Here’s an introduction to Oregon Tech’s platform…
Details:
- Name: BIO 231, 232, 233 Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Institution: Oregon Institute of Technology
- Level: Undergraduate (Credits: 12)
- Prerequisites: None
- Length: 11 weeks each
- Hours: Self-Paced
- Website: oit.edu/human-anatomy-physiology
- Price: $281/credit
5. Anatomy Courses Online – West Virginia University (Lecture & Lab)
West Virginia University’s School of Medicine offers two anatomy and physiology online courses: lectures and laboratory.
Lectures offer three credit hours, while laboratory may lead to one or two credit hours (the two credit hour lab course includes additional modules – upper and lower limbs).
Although it is an online course, students must take the semester exam on campus to qualify for the credits.
Introduction to Human Anatomy Lecture (PALM 205) ’s content is divided into four sequential modules presented over the semester. Each module has 4 or 5 sections.
The course covers the following topics:
- Organization of the Body
- Cells and Tissues
- Skeletal System
- Muscular System
- Regional Anatomy of Thorax
- Respiratory System
- Cardiovascular System
- Lymphatic/Immune Systems.
- Regional Anatomy of Abdomen
- Digestion System
- Urinary System
- Reproductive System
- Regional Anatomy of Pelvis
- Fundamentals of Nervous System
- Central Nervous Systems
- Peripheral Nervous System
- Special Senses
The exams are taken online on scheduled dates.
You can get an insight into the level of quality West Virginia University’s School of Medicine provides in the video below…
Details:
- Name: Anatomy Courses Online
- Institution: West Virginia University
- Level: Undergraduate (Credits: 6)
- Prerequisites: one semester of introductory undergraduate biology (PALM 205) and one of introductory undergraduate biology. They recommend a general anatomy course such as PALM 205; instead, it is not required (PALM 206).
- Length: 1 semester
- Hours: Not Self-Paced (follow a schedule based on a complete semester or summer term)
- Website: medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/anatomy-courses-online
6. Human Anatomy & Physiology I Online Course – University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota offers a Human Anatomy & Physiology Online Course divided into two parts that complete each other: BIMD 220 (3 credits) and BIMD 221 (3 credits).
Together the courses are a complete survey of the anatomy and physiology of the major human organ systems and the foundational concepts required to understand them. By completing BIMD 220 and 221, students work their way through 14 content badges representing all the major body systems.
BIMD 220 covers cells, tissues, skin, skeletal, muscle, nervous and endocrine. BIMD 221, endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.
Details:
- Name: Human Anatomy & Physiology I Online Course (BIMD 220)
- Institution: University of North Dakota
- Level: Upper-level undergraduate (Credits: 3)
- Prerequisites: Either BIOL 150 and BIOL 150L, or CHEM 116 and CHEM 116L, or CHEM 121 and CHEM 121L
- Length: 3-9 months
- Hours: self-paced
- Website: und.edu
- Price: $370.08/credit
Free/Low-Cost Online Anatomy and Physiology Courses
The following courses, while not accredited, can also help further your education in A&P. Some have certificates available to purchase on completion.
1. Anatomy Specialization – University of Michigan/Coursera
The University of Michigan offers an anatomy specialization series through Coursera. It is a four-course series that approaches the anatomy and function of the integumentary and skeletal systems, besides joint classifications, function, clinical correlations, and skeletal muscle anatomy and function.
Taught by instructor Kathleen Alsup, Lecturer and Curator for the Division of Anatomical Sciences, the specialization covers the following:
- Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems
- Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Urinary Systems
- Human Neuroanatomy
- Gastrointestinal, Reproductive and Endocrine Systems
This course has a 4.8/5 rating among its 43,000+ participants!
Details:
- Name: Anatomy Specialization
- Institution: University of Michigan
- Prerequisites: None
- Length: 5 months
- Hours: Self-Paced
- Website: coursera.org/anatomy
2. XSeries Program in Anatomy – Michigan University/edX
Michigan University offers a self-paced program containing four courses within it – and it is recommended to take these four courses in order:
- Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems
- Cardiovascular, Urinary, and Respiratory Systems
- Human Neuroanatomy
- Gastrointestinal, Reproductive and Endocrine Systems
While students can access them for free, there is a fee to obtain the certificate.
Details:
- Name: Anatomy
- Institution: XSeries Program in Anatomy
- Prerequisites: None
- Length: 5 months
- Hours: Self-Paced
- Website: edx.org/xseries/anatomy
- Price: $176.40 (for full experience)
3. Human Anatomy for Stroke – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University/edX
This course proposes to teach human anatomy through a real-life case study of stroke and explain anatomy concepts.
It’s the first MOOC to teach Human Anatomy from multiple healthcare professional perspectives (including nursing, radiography and optometry) via case-based study.
Students may enroll for free but must pay a fee to obtain a certificate.
The course covers:
- Body systems and vital organs
- Anatomical orientation and skeletal system
- The muscular system
- The nervous system
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary system
- Role-play and round-ups for six healthcare disciplines
This is one of the most popular courses on edX. Over 133,714 students have enrolled for this class!
Details:
- Name: Human Anatomy for Stroke
- Institution: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Prerequisites: None
- Length: 8 weeks
- Hours: Self-Paced
- Website:edx.org/course/human-anatomy
- Price: Free
4. Easy Anatomy and Physiology – Udemy
Udemy’s A&P covers many of the fundamental topics found in the 2-semesters college anatomy and physiology course.
It will benefit allied health program students, high school biology/anatomy and physiology students, and anyone wanting to review this subject.
The course delivers 127 video classes, counting more than 11 hours of quality content.
Details:
- Name: Easy Anatomy and Physiology – Platinum Edition
- Institution: Udemy
- Prerequisites: there are no prerequisites
- Length: 8-12 weeks
- Hours: self-paced
- Website: udemy.com/easy-anatomy-and-physiology-platinum-edition
- Price: $19,99
Related Questions
What Are The Most Important Things To Look For In An Online A&P Course?
Learning anatomy and physiology can be tricky (to get an understanding of how hard check out our article; Is Physiology Hard? (Beginner Tips!). Learning it online, however, can (in some cases) be just as effective as taking a class in person.
To get the best out of an online A&P course you’ll want to pay close attention to the following criteria.
- Structure: how well are the course goals defined and the curriculum laid out?
- Time commitment: does the course give you a rough estimate of how much time you’ll need to commit to it each week?
- Cost: does it fit your budget?
- Instruction: is the teaching professor suitably qualified and delivering the classes in an easy-to-understand format?
- Prerequisites: what level of knowledge should you have before starting the course?
- Support: once signed up, how much support is available to you to help meet your goals?
- Assessment: how is your knowledge and progress assessed?
Many of these questions are answered in the introductory table at the beginning of this article.
Anything else should be researched via your own criteria and the contact you make with course providers.
What Can I Expect Learning Anatomy and Physiology Online?
Learning A&P online, although highly unlikely to put you directly in the cadaver lab, can still put you there virtually! To learn the intricacies of the human body that’s hugely important. For that reason, expect plenty of detailed images and videos walking and talking you through the various organ systems of the body.
Online accredited courses are designed to teach you systematically and build on your knowledge as you go. Although it’s entirely possible to self-study anatomy using anatomy games, free anatomy learning websites, and the like, having the guidance and support of instructors, coupled with the camaraderie of other online students, can make a huge difference to your success in the subject.
To get an early heads-up, before enrolling in any of the classes above, it can be useful to have a read over my various anatomy study tips and resource round-ups:
- 7 Best Anatomy Anki Decks: Learn Anatomy Fast
- How To Study For Anatomy Practical (11 Best Ways)
For more tips/resources on learning A&P make sure you check out the Anatomy Section of this website.
Learning A&P online can be a huge endeavor. Hopefully, by spending a few moments browsing the content above, you’ll have some kind of roadmap on how best to approach it!
If you found this article useful, you might find the following interesting:
- 11 Best Accredited Online Biochemistry Courses
- 6 Best Accredited Online Microbiology Courses
Julian Farret
Writer | Lawyer | PhD Student at @DerechoUCA and @UFPel
I spend most of my time washing dishes, changing diapers, playing doll/ball/house/doctor/cooking with my daughter, and making my son sleep. I write and read about education, philosophy, law, religion, finance, and real estate when there is some time left. And I usually don’t sleep!
